Sports betting - football still dominates, but other sports grow
According to KTO's annual study on sports betting in 2024, football continues to be the main protagonist of this market in Brazil.
In 2024, 95% of KTO's active users chose sports as their main modality - which represented more than 90% of the total volume of sports bets. Major events, such as the Brasileirão Série A and the Copa Libertadores, have established themselves as bettors' favorites.
In addition to football, other sports have gained ground. Basketball, driven by the NBA, secured its place among the 10 most popular sports in the KTO - as did American football, which accumulated a growing volume of bets throughout the year.
Among the promising categories are eFootball and eSports. This is because they have attracted a young and engaged audience and have experienced dizzying growth throughout the year. The increase in virtual sports leagues and competitions at an international level has contributed to the popularization of the sports and to the construction of a loyal base of fans and bettors. One example is KironFootball, which recorded the highest average daily bets per player - 19.44 bets per day - demonstrating the growth of virtual sports.
Bettors' preferences have also evolved in terms of betting markets. The traditional 1x2 (final result) maintained its dominant position, but other options, such as total goals and double chance, gained traction.
This reflects a growing trend in which sports bettors seek to be increasingly strategic and analytical, taking time to research data to make an informed decision - as revealed by a study by ENV Media.
Online casinos continue to expand and reinvent themselves
The online casino sector maintained accelerated growth, driven by a wide range of games and an increase in the active player base.
KTO's annual study on the main casino games of 2024 showed that slots were the big stars, accounting for 91.5% of the rounds played on the platform.
Within this category, Fortune Tiger, by PG Soft, was the most popular cassino game of the year, solidifying itself as one of the favorites among gamblers.
Another game in the Fortune series that also stood out was Fortune Rabbit, which took the silver medal with an average popularity of 42%.
Crash games also stood out, attracting gamblers looking for big wins and high volatility. Aviator was one of the main highlights, being the most played crash game, and ranking in the top 5 among all the most played.
KTO JeX also stood out by recording the highest multiplier of the year, 1,000,001x, an impressive milestone that caught the attention of players looking for strong emotions and high returns.
In the live casino, roulette maintained its prominent position, being the most popular game in this category. However, interactive game shows, such as Crazy Time and Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, grew considerably, indicating that players are increasingly interested in immersive and dynamic experiences within the casino environment.
Player behavior revealed an increasing inclination towards games that offer high RTPs (Return to Player) and significant multipliers. Some of the highlights of 2024 include:
* Mr. Hallow-Win!, which reached an RTP of 119.6% in October.
* Zeus vs. Hades Gods of War, with an RTP of 115.6% in April.
This shows that gamblers are looking for dynamic experiences and are increasingly paying attention to titles that offer better returns and strategic volatility. In this sense, games with a history of high payouts and innovative mechanics tend to stand out.
What does the data reveal about player preferences?
KTO's analysis demonstrates the diversity of the Brazilian gambler profile, and some trends are evident.
In sports, although football remains dominant, there is a tendency for growth in other categories, especially eSports.
In the context of casino games, new options are well received by players - including the search for high payouts and innovative experiences. The rise of crash games and game shows highlights this behavior, suggesting that entertainment and interactivity are increasingly relevant factors for this audience.
The study also points to a correlation between average bet values and modalities. While football has the highest volume of bets, sports such as tennis and e-Sports record higher average values, indicating a bettor profile that seeks more strategic returns in these categories.
This diversity of preferences and strategies reflects a market in constant change, which requires continuous innovation to meet the expectations of an increasingly analytical and demanding audience.
The future of iGaming - what to expect by 2025?
Based on the data collected by KTO, some projections can be made for the future of the sector. iGaming in Brazil should continue to evolve, with highlights including:
* Continuous growth of e-Sports and virtual sports, consolidating itself as an increasingly sought-after vertical within the betting scene.
* Evolution of the live casino, with the expansion of game shows and new engagement mechanics.
* Betting on games with higher RTPs and innovative mechanics, as players are increasingly attentive to strategic returns.
What is clear is that the Brazilian market is maturing and becoming more sophisticated, with bettors increasingly seeking more information and diverse experiences.
In addition, the evolution of regulations in Brazil is directing the Brazilian market towards a safer and more structured environment, with rules that will impact the perception and behavior of bettors. With this, it is expected that the new measures will further encourage innovation and research, fostering a reliable and informative market.
If 2024 was a year of transformation, 2025 promises to be a period of innovation and new opportunities in iGaming.
Source: Maria Paula Nascimento, Research Manager at KTO
